NEW YORK CITY — Actress Aubrey Plaza, 42, best known for her roles in Parks and Recreation and The White Lotus, has welcomed her first child—a baby girl—with actor Christopher Abbott, bringing a hopeful new chapter following the tragic loss of her late husband last year.
The joyous news marks a meaningful milestone for the Emmy-nominated star following an immensely difficult period in her personal life.
A New Beginning After Personal Tragedy
The arrival of Plaza’s newborn comes a year after the tragic death of her late husband, filmmaker and screenwriter Jeff Baena, who died by suicide in January 2025 at age 47. Plaza and Baena had been together for a decade and married in 2021 before separating in the months prior to his passing.
Plaza was spotted in New York City cradling her newborn daughter in early August 2026, following the final Broadway performance of Abbott’s production of Death of a Salesman. Sources confirmed the baby was born during the final week of July.
Key Milestones:
• 2020: Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott co-star in "Black Bear"
• 2023: Reunited in the Off-Broadway revival of "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea"
• January 2025: Death of Plaza's late husband, director Jeff Baena
• April 2026: Representative confirms Plaza's pregnancy
• July 2026: Plaza gives birth to a baby girl in New York City
From On-Screen Chemistry to a Quiet Romance
Plaza and Abbott, 40, have maintained a strong professional bond that evolved into a private romantic relationship over time:
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Collaborative Beginnings: The duo first starred together in the 2020 psychological drama Black Bear.
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Stage Reunion: They teamed up again in late 2023 for the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway revival of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.
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A Growing Bond: Public appearances at sporting events and seasonal outings through late 2025 sparked rumors of their relationship before news of the pregnancy broke in April 2026.
Navigating Grief and Finding Joy
Speaking candidly about grief, Plaza described navigating loss as a daily process filled with shifting emotions, while crediting close friends and loved ones with helping her find moments of laughter and healing.
Insiders noted that the pregnancy was a “beautiful surprise after an emotional year,” offering a hopeful new milestone for both new parents as they step into family life together in New York.
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